This is the kind of book that proves why reading debut authors’ work is awesome.

In If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal, Rochelle has one goal for the upcoming senior year: to become valedictorian and get into Wharton. If that involves beating her academic rival, Amira Rodriguez, well, that’s just a perk. To add to her resume, though, Rochelle needs a summer job. So when she’s offered a position at Horizon Cinemas, the Black-owned theater beloved by the locals, she accepts, and everything seems fine, until she realizes that Amira is her manager. Begrudgingly, the two agree to get along at work, but the more time they spend together, the more they realize they might actually like each other. But even as their feelings grow, they’re faced with a new problem: someone seems to be sabotaging Horizon’s operations, and the owners are worried about finances. So Rochelle and Amira have to not only navigate their romantic tension, but also their workplace troubles.

This is such a charming book! Both Rochelle and Amira are wonderful characters, with a lot of personality, banter, and growth. I loved seeing Rochelle learn how to loosen up and become open to new platonic and romantic relationships, and to see Amira getting to be vulnerable and reconnect with someone who’s hurt her in the past. They’re the clear stars of the show, and their journeys shine.

However, the rest of the cast is great too. I really liked Glory, the coworkers at the theater, and Rochelle’s friends. They’re a fun assortment of characters, with lots of humor and heart in their interactions with each other.

The backdrop of Horizon Cinema is great, too. Jamal represents what it’s like to work in retail very well, and also highlights a beautiful small business that uplifts and celebrates the achievements of Black people. It’s such a fantastic environment, and though the workplace isn’t without drama (as all businesses have), it’s a testament to the importance of community, especially for underrepresented groups. Especially in this age in America, this is a wonderful thing to see and a balm to anxious souls. The characters in this book are there for each other, and it’s awesome.

The romance is also really sweet. As I mentioned, Rochelle’s and Amira’s character development is excellent, and I was rooting for them all along. Their history of being childhood friends added a layer of complexity to their current estrangement and rivalry, and I was glad to see them unpack their history and find a way forward as their resentment fell away, affection and attraction replacing it. Jamal wrote it all so well.

In the end, If We Were a Movie was a lovely story, with great themes and characters. It would be a great summer read for teens (but obviously, also for adults like me). The audiobook narrated by Marcella Cox is wonderful, and I look forward to reading more from Zakiya N. Jamal in the future!

If We Were a Movie is available now!